This blog is meant to display my coins/currency notes/stamps, in an informative manner, which would be useful to users in knowing about the history of the period when these coins/banknotes/stamps were minted/printed and events/persons they honour/depict, both on Indian and foreign coins/banknotes/stamps. The content would be more in the nature of a walk down memory lane through my collection/articles.

He was born at Vavania,
in the Indian state of Gujarat, on “Kartik
Purnima” in “Vikram Samvat
1924” (An Indian Calendar started during the period of the legendary “Samrat” (Emperor) Vikramaditya of
Ujjain. (His birth corresponds to 09.11.1867 of the Gregorian calendar).

At the young age of
seven, on witnessing the burning pyre of an acquaintance, he underwent an
unprecedented “Kundalini”
awakening (spiritual awakening), which made him become enlightened and recollect
several of his past lives.

As a child, he
showed remarkable grasping power and memory at school and completed 7
academic years in just two years.

As a teenager, he mastered
almost all the prominent treatises on philosophy with the sole purpose of
discovering the “Ultimate Truth”.

He was endowed with
many extra-ordinary mental and intellectual powers.

Despite a sentiment of
detachment and a burning desire for renunciation, at the age of 20 he
got married and started managing in a business.

At the age of 23,
he was a consciousness deeply immersed in the Truth, he experienced a
powerful emotional spiritual state of being, self-realisation and kept this
flame alive even amidst worldly activities.

At the age of 28,
he began to spend 4 to 6 months every year in the seclusion of jungles,
mountains and remote places in Gujarat, effortlessly leading an austere
life.

In 1900, Shrimadji’s
health deteriorated due to a severe illness from which he did not recover. In
spite of his extreme physical discomfort, his persona radiated bliss. He passed
away on the day of “Chaitra Vad
Pancham”, “Vikram Samvat”
1957 (corresponding to the Gregorian calendar date of 09.04.1901) at
Rajkot.

Interaction
and Impact on Mahatma Gandhi:

Among those who came in
contact with him was Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of the Nation. Their
association continued through correspondence even after Mahatma Gandhi moved to
South Africa.

Their close association contributed
a great deal in moulding Gandhiji’s philosophy, who attributed his strong
foundation of truth, non-violence and compassion to Shrimadji. Gandhiji has mentioned
Shrimadji in his writings and in his autobiography – “The Story of My
Experiments with Truth”.

His
writings, teachings and legacy:

His invaluable thoughts,
teachings and writingshave been compiled and published in the
volume – “Shrimad Rajchandra”.

The poetic composition “Shri Atmasiddhi Shastra” is one of
Shrimadji’s finest works. Penned in a single sitting of only 1 to 2 hours, its
142 verses form a masterpiece in philosophical literature.

There are also treatises,
poetic compositions, articles, aphorisms and his personal notes reflecting his
deep contemplation and profound inner state. A large part of his legacy is his
letters written to spiritual seekers.

In a short span of 33
years, he not only soared high in the spiritual world but was also
instrumental in directing many others on the path of enlightenment.

It shows Shrimad
Rajchandraji sitting cross-legged at bottom left. In the background are several
images of Rajchandraji and a map of several towns in Gujarat of places, where
Rajchandraji visited, stayed or had interactions with spiritual seekers. On the
top right is the 500 Paise or Rs.5/- stamp showing his portrait. The
Cancellation stamp presents his name in both Hindi and English. The Cancellation
is of New Delhi GPO and is dated “29.07.2017”.

At top left is the logo of
the “Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan” (meaning
“Clean India Mission”) with its motto “Ek
Kadam Swachhta Ki Ore” (meaning “A Step towards Cleanliness”).

A Se-tenant (set of four
stamps) on Shrimad Rajchandraji

A Full Sheet of 9 x 5 = 45
Stamps

An Information Brochure issued on the occasion of release of the stamps

About Me

I am Rajeev Prasad, a retired State Bank of India officer who had been collecting coins in a shoe box without having a serious interest. Only after quitting my job I got the time to take serious interest in developing my coin collection into a hobby. A pity, because I would have had more opportunity to lay my hands on more 'exclusive coins' while in the Bank. Anyway, as they say,better late than never. If you have any views to share with me regarding this blog , please contact me on my email rajeevprasad1208@gmail.com. I also have a twitter account @prasad_rajeev.
I had an opportunity to participate in a Documentary on the life and times of the 25 paise coin titled “Chal Basi Chavanni” (The four anna/twenty five paise coin passes away), aired by STAR NEWS on 29th and 30th June 2011. The programme helped in making many persons hold back onto their “chavannis”, the little round beauties, instead of returning them to Banks .